CONTROLS Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

controls 1 of 2

noun

plural of control

as in controllers

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

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as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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as in operations

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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as in powers

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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controls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of control

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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as in contains

to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

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as in rules

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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as in operates

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of controls

Noun

China is considering export controls that could check the global spread of its AI models and chips, as Beijing increases oversight of its burgeoning tech sector. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Untreated cotton samples were placed in those same locations as controls. — New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026 Instead of flying the drone remotely with individual controls, the F-22 pilot sent high-level tactical instructions that the drone’s onboard autonomy software interpreted and executed. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Under State Department policy, the country is subject to an arms embargo and export controls on purchases for the police. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Depending on your Galaxy model and Gallery version, the exact location of the tagging controls may vary. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The overall look suggests a fuel canister, while physical features such as the bump guards that surround the front-panel buttons and the flip-up cover over the reset button recall fighter-jet controls. — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026 Arab-Israeli cooperation was impressive, but deeper diplomatic ties might have prevented the Omani co-pilot from being behind the controls. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 The company’s security controls technically worked, as the agent faithfully carried out the fraudster’s instructions. — Caryn Seidman Becker, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

But physicists have long suspected that at a subatomic level, there is a something that inherently controls how fast these changes can occur. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026 In fact, as Darman tutored me, the staff secretary sees and controls all information that goes to the President. — Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 How the brain controls testosterone Testosterone production starts in the head, not the body. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Hal’s power ring controls the damage, but the mystery remains. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026 Early detection remains the single largest factor an owner controls. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 The bassist and singer underwent an aortic valve replacement, which are undertaken to treat one of the valves that controls blood flow to the heart when damaged or diseased. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 There is also a vast telecommunications network that guides and controls drone systems. — Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls

Noun

The console lets users play N64 games with their original cartridges and controllers, using FPGA hardware instead of emulation software—the standard for retro machines—so there’s no lag during play.

— Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Besides running controllers with outdated firmware, the affected stores likely also failed to put the devices behind a VPN and create a restricted list of IP addresses allowed to log in.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of controllers

Noun

But the power this concentrates in the hands of one corporation and person – SpaceX and Musk – has raised alarm bells.

— Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese and blue cheese in a bowl with gloved hands or in a food processor until blended.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

Marshall has consistently voted against Senate War Powers Resolutions aimed at halting or restricting military operations in Iran.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Russia's Ryazan oil refinery has suspended operations at a primary crude distillation unit after a drone attack in the region on Thursday, two industry sources told Reuters.

— Arathy Somasekhar Reuters, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of operations

Noun

Billy, now inhabiting the body of and living as William, was then able to use his powers to help Tommy’s soul find a new body to inhabit.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Even some of the most traditional powers that the sport has to offer have busted out some new uniform combinations to get their fans excited (think Georgia's all-white threads and matching white helmet).

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of powers

Verb

The medications work by blocking certain chemical messengers in the part of the brain that regulates body temperature and manages sleep/wake cycles, according to the guidance.

— Shannon Firth, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
That finding is now being read against a parallel body of research on circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal clock that regulates eating, sleeping and other physiological processes.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

Florida High School Athletic Association rules state that runners who don’t participate in district meets are ineligible for region races.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Rebekka Nygård Bak, an adviser to Greenland’s fisheries ministry, told the outlet that rules requiring bycatch-friendly equipment and better bycatch reporting could also help.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

Beyond rocket production, Blue Origin operates facilities across Cocoa, Melbourne, Orlando, and Titusville.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Djrum is the rare DJ who operates almost entirely outside the world of genre; his sets swing from breakcore to IDM, jungle to techno, garage to field recordings to—well—whatever, really, depending on mood.

— Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2026